TRAVELLERS set up illegal camp next to Colchester’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Three caravans arrived on the land to the east of the stadium yesterday. 

Residents have alerted Colchester Council, which owns the land, and it has already begun proceedings to clear the site.

Martin Goss, Colchester councillor for Mile End, said: “They are illegally encamped on land owned by the council “This is not the first time this has happened and there are concrete barriers in place to make sure this doesn’t happen.”

The only way the caravans could have entered the field is to mount the kerb from United Way.

No damage has been caused.

It is understood the “working travellers” plan to stay until tomorrow, but eviction can take up to seven days.

A Colchester Council spokeswoman added: “We have been made aware that travellers have set up camp on the land adjacent to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

“The land is owned by Colchester Council, and therefore we have advised the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit of the unauthorised encampment.

“Officers from the unit have a visit scheduled for Tuesday morning and will commence legal proceedings, once they have completed their initial assessments.”